The Saratoga Mentoring Program matches caring adult volunteers with children from challenging life circumstances. Mentors and kids spend a couple of hours a week together, building a friendship and having fun. Mentors are there to listen, guide and be a friend.

All you need is a few hours and the desire to reach out to a child.

The benefits to the child are proven: studies show that children who have a mentor will perform better in school, get along better with peers, and are more likely to make positive choices. Kids who have a mentor are less likely to get involved with drugs and alcohol.

Matches are made based on the mentor’s skills and preferences. The kids are between the ages of 7 – 17. Having a mentor gives a child a positive role model, provides some new experiences, and helps the child to develop a sense of the future.

Mentoring is fun! Mentors often feel that they get more out of the experience than the kids! Mentors spend time playing sports, attending concerts, playing games, going to watch a hockey game together. Mentoring will expand your horizons; as a mentor, you will have a chance to develop new skills that may be helpful in other aspects of your life. This is a chance for you to make a real difference in the life of one child.

All you need to be a mentor is a little time and a big heart. Mentors range from ages 18 – 70. Mentors come from all segments of the Saratoga community. Our current group of mentors include engineers, homemakers, teachers, realtors, artists, retirees, contractors, and college students.